Category: Daily Guide Network

Former Vice President and flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, celebrated his birthday last Tuesday in a unique manner.

He foot the medical bills of many children receiving treatment at the Department of Child Health, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Ms. Akosua Manu aka Kozie, the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Adenta Constituency who is the former Vice President’s special aide, made the presentation on his behalf at the premier referral hospital.

The over GHS80,000 donation covered outstanding medical bills and cost of essential medicines for children in various wards.

According to Ms. Manu, the initiative was motivated by Dr. Bawumia’s compassion for children, particularly those battling health conditions whose families struggle to afford treatment.

‘Dr. Bawumia has always been passionate about children’s welfare. He believes that no child should be denied care because of financial challenges. This support is his way of spreading love and hope on his special day,’ she said.

Nurses and ward in-charges, who received the funds on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Bawumia and his team, describing the donation as a timely act of compassion that has lifted a heavy burden off many struggling parents.

‘This support has brought relief to families who were unable to pay for their children’s treatment. It is a true blessing,’ one of the ward in-charges remarked.

The atmosphere at the hospital was filled with smiles, gratitude, and heartfelt prayers for the former Vice President.

Many parents and staff thanked him for choosing to mark his birthday with an act of kindness that directly touched lives.

The visit, characterised by warmth and appreciation, underscored Dr. Bawumia’s long-standing advocacy for compassion-driven public service and his belief that leadership must always prioritise humanity.

It would be recalled that Dr. Bawumia adopted a girl abandoned by her parents at the Weija Leprosarium.

He sponsored little Priscilla’s medical treatment in Italy and upon her return he had her admitted at the Roman Ridge School in Accra, where she has begun schooling.

Her first day at the school was a memorable one, as Dr. Bawumia and his friend Father Andrew Campbell, a patron of the leprosarium, engaged with the little girl.

Dr. Bawumia described the moment on his Facebook thus: ‘Today, Little Priscilla, a former resident of the Weija Leprosarium who was rejected by her parents at age two, reached a new milestone in her life, with her first day at school at the Roman Ridge School in Accra.

‘It was an exciting day for her and all who have cared for her including Father Campbell, Donna and Barbara. Priscilla is such an intelligent girl, and I believe she is destined for some great things in life. Congratulations to Priscilla Nonstele!!! May the angels protect you.’

Dr. Bawumia’s relationship with the little girl started when she was four and resident at the Weija Leprosarium as a cured leper.

Touched by her plight, the then Vice President sponsored a surgical procedure on her in Italy, which saw her now using a prosthetic limb.

Chef Failatu Abdul-Razak, who recently attempted to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest individual cooking marathon, has urged Ghanaians to patronize local tourist centres to help boost the country’s tourism industry.

She said locals should lead by example and use social media and other platforms to market Ghana’s tourism and heritage to the world.

‘We as Ghanaians should take the lead and market our tourist sites through our platforms to the world to boost our tourism industry,’ she said.

She made this known when she organised an adventure for her fans, dubbed ‘A Savannah Escape with Executive Chef Faila,’ to Mole National Park in the Savannah Region.

Participants visited the mystic stone, Laribanga mosque and Mole National Park to see elephants, antelopes, monkeys and other animals and were treated to hot meals and snacks cooked by Chef Failatu Abdul-Razak, and participated in fun games.

Savannah Regional Senior Assistant Quality Assurance Officer at the Ghana Tourism Authority, Isaac Nyadia, commended Chef Failatu Abdul-Razak for the initiative and encouraged other celebrities to use their platforms to market Ghana’s tourism potential.

‘We wish that more celebrities will use their various platforms to market our tourist sites to the world to boost our industry,’ he said.

Tension is mounting in Manso Nyakomase, a community in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region, as residents have vowed to resist what they describe as an illegal and unauthorised land reclamation exercise being undertaken on their small-scale mining site without their approval.

The residents, made up of small-scale miners, youth groups, and traditional leaders, say the move is a deliberate attempt by some faceless individuals to seize control of their community’s mining concession under the pretext of reclamation.

At a press conference on Monday, the spokesperson for the community, Mr. Sarkodie Dominic, disclosed that some unidentified persons had tried to bring in heavy-duty machinery, including excavators, to commence reclamation activities without consulting the rightful landowners.

‘This land belongs to families and individuals within Manso Nyakomase. It is not state-owned and does not fall within any forest reserve or government concession,’ Mr. Sarkodie stated. ‘We are still working on our sites, and no one has the right to reclaim our land until our mining activities are over.’

He further stressed that the residents are responsible miners who are mindful of environmental protection, and have already planned to reclaim the land themselves once mining operations are completed.

The visibly aggrieved residents have issued a three-day ultimatum to those behind the alleged takeover to remove all machinery from their site or face stiff resistance from the community.

Several residents who spoke to the media expressed outrage over what they termed a calculated move to dispossess them of their livelihoods. They accused some local leaders of secretly negotiating with outsiders to allow the exercise, warning that such acts of betrayal would not be tolerated.

‘We are not against reclamation, but it should be done fairly and with our full involvement,’ one resident said. ‘We depend entirely on mining for survival, and any attempt to take our land without consent is a direct attack on our lives.’

The residents have appealed to the District Chief Executive for Amansie South, Benjamin Marfo, and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to intervene immediately to prevent the issue from escalating into a violent confrontation.

They also urged the ministry to investigate the alleged illegal reclamation attempt as well as bring the perpetrators to book, to ensure peace and fairness in the area.

Meanwhile, tension remains high in Manso Nyakomase as residents continue to resist what they describe as an ‘unlawful and unjust’ attempt to take over their concession. The community maintains that while it supports responsible reclamation, it will not allow any individual or group to exploit the process for personal gain.

President John Dramani Mahama has honoured the University for Development Studies (UDS) with a cash reward of GHS500,000 for their historic victory at the FISU World University Football Tournament in China.

The UDS football team made continental history as the first African university to win the prestigious global competition, stunning Brazil’s Paulista University 2-1 in a dramatic final. Despite conceding within the opening 10 seconds, captain Mohammed Sulemana equalised in stoppage time before Ezedeen Alhassan clinched the winner with a brilliant header from a corner in extra time.

During a courtesy call at the Jubilee House, the victorious team presented their trophy to President Mahama, who commended their resilience and sportsmanship. He lauded the players for ‘lifting Ghana’s flag high’ and inspiring young athletes across Africa to pursue excellence through discipline and teamwork.

The UDS contingent arrived home on Sunday, October 5, to a rousing reception at the Kotoka International Airport, where fans, students, and sports officials gathered to celebrate their remarkable achievement.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi was dragged to court yesterday for two separate trials over allegations of undertaking mining without permission from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

The first trial borders on allegations the NPP official permitted other individuals to undertake mining on his Akonta Mining concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without a written approval from the Minister.

The second case involves allegations Wontumi, his company and others unlawfully entered and undertook mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve without legal authority.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was granted a total of GHS25 million bail by both courts with three sureties.

Wontumi was rearrested after the first proceeding had ended and hauled before another court, where he had to wait for about two hours before the case was called.

He is facing a minimum of 15 years in prison and up to 25 years if found guilty of the charges levelled against him.

Facilitating Mining Offence

In the first trial, Wontumi has been charged with one count of assignment of mineral rights without approval, and another count of purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by Section 3 of the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

His company, Akonta Mining and another person identified as Kwame Antwi, who is on the run, have been charged with the same offences.

His lawyer, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi pleaded with the court to grant him bail pending trial, telling the court that his client is not a flight risk.

He said the accused has cooperated with the police and has promised to submit himself at all material times for the trial.

Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai did not oppose the grant of bail but told the court to take into consideration the fact that gold business is capital-intensive and it is common knowledge that persons of substance are more flight risk than persons without substance.

He told the court that mining without licence is the biggest challenge of the country at the moment, and given the severity of the sentence, ‘if the bail conditions are not properly determined, an accused person who has the means, and in this case, the owner of almighty Akonta Mining, will be motivated to flee rather than face the law.’

In respect of the sureties and the amount of money for bail, Dr. Srem-Sai prayed that ‘the amount be such that should the accused not be found again, it would be enough to at least reclaim the damages that have been caused to the land.’

The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, granted Wontumi bail of GHS15 million with three sureties, two of whom must be justified with landed property within the jurisdiction.

He is to deposit his passport(s) with the registrar of the court. The court has also placed him on the Stop List at all entry points of the country.

The prosecution’s brief fact indicates that the police had arrested Michael Ayisi Gyasi, a 50-year-old and 28 others within Akonta Mining’s concession in Samreboi on April 17, 2025, following an operation.

During the arrest, the police retrieved several items, including eight (8) pump action guns, one (1) single-barreled gun, five (5) pieces of metal suspected to be gold concealed in a sachet, four (4) machetes, several water pumping machines, 310 AAA/BB cartridges, and one (1) grease gun.

Others include four (4) motorcycles, two (2) vehicles, 25 serviceable excavators, four (4) non-serviceable excavators and GHS157,000 cash.

The prosecution says it will pray the court at the end of the trial, for a forfeiture order in respect of all items of value retrieved from the concession.

Forest Reserve ‘Encroachment’

Wontumi, his company and three others have been accused of causing ‘extreme environmental destruction, including the devastation of approximately 13 hectares of land,’ in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve with illegal mining activities.

The facts state that despite his company having licence to mine, its application to mine in the forest reserve was refused in August 2022. That notwithstanding, the company allegedly undertook the mining activities.

‘To provide housing for the teeming number of persons working for it, A1 (Akonta Mining) put up several makeshift structures across the Forest Reserve,’ the facts allege.

The court, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, granted Wontumi and Edward Akuoko a bail of GHS10 million each with three sureties each, one of whom must be justified with landed property.

They were ordered to deposit their travel documents with registrar of the court and report to the investigator once every other week.

The case was adjourned to November 4, 2025, while the prosecution was ordered to file and serve disclosures before then.

Afro-dancehall musician, Stonebwoy has called on the government to bring back Ghana Airways, the country’s defunct national airline.

In a post on X on October 6, 2025, the artist appealed to authorities to revive the airline despite its long period of inactivity.

‘Bring back GHANA AIRWAYS. Please and Thank You. It is possible,’ he wrote.

Ghana Airways, established in 1958, served as the nation’s official carrier until it ceased operations in 2004 and was liquidated in 2005 due to heavy debt, mismanagement, and safety issues.

Over the years, successive governments have made several attempts to re-establish a national carrier, but none have materialised.

Stonebwoy’s call adds to ongoing public discussions about the need for Ghana to revive its own national airline.

The capital city was yesterday submerged under flood waters after a four-hour downpour, leaving traders, motorists and passengers stranded.

The flooding, which has become a perennial occurrence, left places such as Weija, Mallam Junction, Kaneshie, Abossey Okai, Circle and Adabraka Odawna areas inaccessible, as the downpour overwhelmed existing drainage systems.

Other places like Ofankor on the Nsawam Highway, Achimota, Haatso, Atomic Junction, Madina, Dzorwulu Fiesta Royal Hotel were also flooded after the heavy rain, coupled with strong winds.

The incident also caused traffic congestion on major roads like the Ring Road, as vehicles were backed up along adjoining routes connecting to nearby suburbs.

The situation has once again reignited concerns over Accra’s inadequate drainage infrastructure and the urgent need for sustainable, long-term solutions to the capital’s perennial flooding challenges.

GMet Caution

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) earlier issued a weather advisory, indicating that a moderate to heavy rain-bearing cloud observed over the Eastern Region is expected to drift southwestwards into the Greater Accra Region.

According to GMet, the rains will vary in intensity across different parts of the capital, and urged residents to take precautionary measures including avoiding outdoor activities during the rains, staying indoors and away from windows during thunderstorms, unpluging electrical appliances to prevent damage from lightning strikes, and avoiding the use of corded phones or devices connected to power outlets.

It also said that if caught outside, residents should seek substantial shelter immediately. GMet advised drivers to exercise extreme caution by reducing speed, using headlights for visibility, and avoiding flooded sections of the roadway.

Commuters appealed to city authorities to prioritise finding a solution to the challenge.

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced plans to commence foreign exchange (FX) intermediation under the Domestic Gold Exchange Programme beginning October 2025.

Speaking at a meeting with Chief Executives of commercial banks in Accra, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, said the central bank intends to sell US$1.15 billion for the month as part of efforts to deepen the interbank foreign exchange market and strengthen market transparency.

According to Dr. Asiama, the FX sales will be conducted on a spot basis through twice-weekly, price-competitive auctions open to all licensed banks. He explained that there would be no conditions or earmarking for allocations, ensuring a level playing field and transparent access to the market.

‘Monthly auction volumes may be adjusted depending on evolving market conditions, but our overarching objectives remain clear – to deepen the interbank FX market, enhance price discovery, and smooth volatility,’ Dr. Asiam stated.

He reaffirmed the central bank’s commitment to transparency, noting that the BoG will continue to publish details of all FX market operations and outcomes in line with international best practices.

Dr. Asiama emphasised that consolidating macroeconomic stability requires shared responsibility, pointing out that maintaining a stable exchange rate, expanding credit to productive sectors, and boosting exports demand close collaboration between the Bank of Ghana and the banking industry.

He noted that the strong performance of the cedi, which ranks among the best-performing currencies globally, underscores the growing credibility of the BoG’s policy framework and the renewed confidence of financial markets.

To support the ongoing disinflation process while promoting growth, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to lower the policy rate by 350 basis points to 21.5 percent, reflecting confidence that inflation will remain within the medium-term target band of 8 ± 2 percent by the end of the fourth quarter.

The Governor, however, cautioned that the central bank remains mindful of potential risks, including global oil price volatility and possible domestic tariff adjustments, and stands ready to act decisively to preserve stability.

‘The easing in policy rates has already started to transmit through the financial system. Treasury bill rates have declined from 13.4 percent in July to 10.3 percent in August, while average lending rates have dropped from 26.6 percent to 24.2 percent. We expect further improvement as banks realign their pricing models to reflect the easing stance,’ he said.

Dr. Asiama added that the BoG has introduced a series of new directives to strengthen prudential oversight and risk management, including the Bancassurance Directive, the Large Exposures Directive, and the Guidelines on Credit Concentration Risk Management.

Ghana’s Ambassador to China, His Excellency Kojo Bonsu, together with the staff of the Ghanaian Embassy in Beijing are set to warmly receive President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama for a three-day official visit to China on Sunday October 12.

The visit will include participation in the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality as well as a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping of China.

Ambassador Bonsu has spearheaded extensive preparations with embassy teams and local partners to ensure a successful and impactful mission.

‘Information reaching me shows clearly that the Chinese government and the business community are interested in investing and doing business in Ghana and as the Ambasaaodor I am ready to Champion this cause and secure meaningful partnership by making it possible to the benefit of the Ghanaian people,’ Ambassador Bonsu said.

Throughout the visit Ambassador Kojo Bonsu will be coordinating high-level diplomatic engagements and targeted business meetings in Beijing and Fujian.

President Mahama and the First Lady will engage in high-level diplomatic with economic discussions, participating in plenary sessions and forums to advance gender equality and women’s economic empowerment on Sunday October 12.

The Ghana President will meet President Xi Jinping of China and other senior Chinese leader including H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council , Governor of Fujian, Chinese corporations and investors aimed at securing strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, agriculture, renewable energy and manufacturing.

President Mahama will use the occasion to visit Fuzhou, Fujian Province to engage with the business community and industries there to explore potential investments in Ghana.

The Ghanaian delegation will prioritize agreements that support value addition in key export sectors, infrastructure projects with local content, technology transfer, and capacity building. Business delegations accompanying the President will pursue joint ventures, manufacturing partnerships and supply-chain linkages to position Ghana as a competitive hub for West African trade and industry.

The visit will also strengthen people-to-people exchanges, cultural co-operation, and educational collaboration, with discussions on educational scholarships, vocational training partnerships and expanded cooperation in science, technology and health.

This high level engagement reflects Ghana’s commitment to attracting foreign direct investment and accelerating inclusive industrialization.

The Embassy in Beijing, under Ambassador Bonsu’s leadership, will provide timely updates as agreements and initiatives are concluded.

The government has approved a proposal to introduce a Sports Levy as the main source of revenue for Ghana’s upcoming Sports Development Fund, marking a major step toward sustainable financing for national sports.

According to officials, the proposal which received cabinet approval two weeks ago has also been endorsed by President John Dramani Mahama, paving the way for the final bill to be presented to Parliament when it reconvenes.

Treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Evans Yeboah, explained that the levy will serve as a dedicated funding stream for sports growth and infrastructure.

‘There is an incoming Sports Levy that would go into the fund, with a top-up from the Gaming Commission, creating a revolving fund within the sector,’ Yeboah stated.

He added that the government plans to operationalise the Sports Development Fund in 2026, noting that preparations are underway for its official launch.

‘We are hoping that by the end of the year or by the first quarter of next year, the Sports Fund will be launched to assist all national federations,’ he said.

Once passed by Parliament, the Fund will become the primary source of financing for the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, supporting both capital projects and operational expenses.

Yeboah further emphasised that the Fund will prioritise support for national sports federations, particularly those competing in world championships and major international events.

‘There will be a pool of funds reserved to assist national federations, with top priority given to global competitions,’ he concluded.